The Pocketbook Guide to Scottish Superheroes

by Kirsti Wishart

Meet Scotland’s new breed of Superheroes –there’s an awful lot of them!

Scotland population is growing with superheroes emerging with wide-ranging and esoteric superpowers, creating chaos and havoc – and they’re the good ones.

Kirsti Wishart‘s breath-taking take on an alternative Scotland is serialised for SF Caledonia. Kirsti has edited it specially to be released in episodes, and we’ll be publishing new chapters twice a week, starting on 2nd May 2025.

Set your calendars for the first and third Fridays of every month – or subscribe to our monthly newsletter to keep up to date.

‘The Tartan Supes’ is an SF Caledonia experiment in action, so your feedback and comments are welcome – indeed encouraged. Take a few moments to tell us your thoughts through our Contact form.

Noel Chidwick
Editor

Chapter 1 – A rude awakening? – Swarming superheroes – a blast from the past

Meet Scotland’s unwilling superheroes – there are a lot of them.

Starting a new series on SF Caledonia, with chapters released every two weeks.

Chapter 2 – Busy day for Benefits – the fearsome Slorach – a troublesome client

The drive in to the Benefits Agency the next day wasn’t as bad as I’d expected. Usually after a Flighting it was a nightmare, what with stray laser blasts having knocked down trees or some joker giving traffic lights independent thought so they ended up having these existentialist debates with . . .

Chapter 3 –The Saga of Davey – A cry for help – Cathy to the rescue?

Chapter 4 – unfriendly locals – help from a huge hoodie

OK, I admit, I had just a rough idea of what I was going to do when I got there, probably carry out a quick reassessment to stop him running to the papers, get some emergency provision in place. It was only when I got to Hilltown I realised it . . .

Chapter 5 – a hand up – breaking and entering – a gruesome discovery

Chapter 6 – police questioning – under suspicion – encounter with a higher authority

‘And you’re sure you saw no one else leaving the flat before you arrived, Miss – ah..?’

‘Burns. As in third degree.

Chapter 7 – Phil fills us in – karma chameleon – the Knoxian threat

‘You’re kidding me, right?’
‘No, honestly, swear on my signed Lorraine Kelly photo. Something to do with the type of concrete. Although it might be because the place is so scuzzy they can’t be bothered scanning for interesting thoughts. But yeah, I reckon here we’re safe. No psychic eavesdropping . . .

Chapter 8 – Mini-collision – how to handle difficult discussions at work

After dropping Phil off at his flat I headed back to the Agency, wanting to sort out Davey’s business before checking out the names I’d been given.

Chapter 9 – Deadmin – Passed For Review…

When I came back even Jamie had the sense to leave me alone. Alan gave me a careful smile with a ‘You alright?’ then went quiet after a nod back. I had a feeling there had perhaps been Words between him and Jamie but I got myself focused on the . . .

Chapter 10 – Brother trouble – the Phantom Fantoosh – Kannyman comes a-love-bombing – trouble with the ex

Checking my mobile in Martina I discovered six missed calls, five of which – five, for Chrissake! – were from Ish and one from Colin.

Chapter 11 – Kannyman aftermath – the mysterious death of Robert Macintosh – Katy the Bird Girl

I got in late the next day, in part because I was shattered but also to avoid chat about the day before. I needn’t have worried. No one was interested in any trauma I might have suffered, they were too busy gossiping about Kannyman’s antics.

Chapter 12 – a warning and a reward – Katy’s vanishing – risky business

It used to be the Smoking Room, the walls stained nicotine yellow, then a room for dumping odd bits of junk and stationery. After the Change staff turnover rocketed and some bright spark came up with the idea of painting it magnolia and transforming it into the Quiet Zone. That’s . . .

Chapter 13 – the suspicions of a superhero – cat attack

‘Look, if you’re not comfortable here then we can go somewhere else. Any more of this sitting in silence and I’ll think we’re a couple again.’
‘Jeez Ish, give us a break. Can’t blame me for getting a bit distracted in this place,’ and I nodded towards the guy . . .